Press Release Jan 23, 2017

Trump Hiring Freeze Danger to Parks

Already shrinking workforce threatens parks’ protection and management.

WASHINGTON – Below is a statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association, following President Trump’s signing of a memorandum freezing the hiring of new federal workers, including for the National Park Service:

“Protecting our national parks requires the dedicated efforts of tens of thousands of rangers and other Park Service employees every day, but many are edging closer to retirement. Parks already have 10 percent fewer rangers and other staff compared to a few years ago. They cannot continue to be hampered by low staffing, and that’s exactly what will happen with this hiring freeze. Park rangers are already forced to do more with less because they don’t have enough staff to handle record-breaking crowds. If Congress and the administration don’t work together to better staff our parks, this will only make it harder for those remaining park staff to care for and manage America’s favorite places.”

###

About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

Read more from NPCA

  • Blog Post

    Making Our Mark on Capitol Hill: Advocating for the Great Lakes and National Parks

    Mar 2025 | By Crystal Davis

    The Great Lakes are healthier than they were a generation ago, but NPCA continues to promote their need for protection so we can maintain people’s health and economic well-being.  

  • Blog Post

    Parks Are Being Dismantled Before Our Very Eyes

    Mar 2025 | By Theresa Pierno

    Under the second Trump administration, we are in an unprecedented moment  in the long history of national park protection. The situation has become dire, but a record number of park…

  • Blog Post

    Seeing Recovery at Yellowstone

    Mar 2025 | By Michelle Uberuaga

    Nearly three years after major floods devastated portions of Yellowstone National Park, recovery is underway. But climate change and staffing shortfalls bring new threats to the world’s first national park…